by April Scheinoha
Reporter
Personnel changes at the Thief River Falls Police Department were discussed at the Tuesday, Feb. 5 meeting of the Thief River Falls City Council.
The council approved promoting Officer Mike Roff to sergeant. Roff will continue as the K-9 officer.
Roff was among four internal applicants for the new position. Police Chief Dick Wittenberg said all four were tested and interviewed for the position. Wittenberg, Deputy Police Chief Craig Mattson and a Crookston police lieutenant conducted the interviews. Wittenberg said Roff was their unanimous choice and a couple of the other candidates were close behind.
While his partner has been promoted, K-9 Max won’t be promoted. “He hasn’t gotten the education requirements we set with the position yet,” Wittenberg joked.
Mayor Brian Holmer responded that Max couldn’t pass the written requirements, which drew a few laughs.
Other department sergeants include Chuck Lindgren and Doug Williams.
Wittenberg updated the council on plans to fill the position of deputy police chief. Mattson is retiring Friday, Feb. 15.
Wittenberg said he plans to leave the position open for three months. “We need to get a replacement or try to get a replacement for him,” said Wittenberg, who noted it will be difficult to fill Mattson’s shoes. He expected more active planning to fill the vacancy will occur within the next two months.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved applying for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The city is applying for a Small Cities Streetscape Grant. If approved, the grant would cover $600,000 of the $1,004,400 lighting portion of the 2019 Central Business District improvements. The city plans to install decorative lights in the CBD as well as on Knight Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, First Street and Fourth Street.